MrWasabi

I know, crazy question but is there a preferred brand/type of zip tie out there? Something that will last in the heat and outdoors? I'm on Amazon and the reviews are all over the place on quality. I don't want my parts left all over the trail/path.

Thanks for any input.

dabac

The only difference I reliably notice is that the white ones degrade when exposed to sunlight.

Crankycrank

This guy does some great tests on products and here is one on some zipties. Only a few brands tested but gives some trustworthy info.

grizzly59

Never had a prob with black ones from NAPA

unterhausen

There definitely are crummy ones available now. The U.S. name brands are still better, maybe not for too much longer. Get UV resistant ones. Generally they are black. Panduit, Klien, etc.

bktourer1

I was in a hardware store the other day and saw a bag of metal zip ties. May try them out

grizzly59

Awesome video, this guy is really into testing cable ties.

dsbrantjr

For the ultimate in weather and sun resistance check out stainless steel cable ties, I get mine from Harbor Freight: https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-...-pk-60330.html. Another alternative is the Clamp-Tite® system which uses stainless lock wire (or other wire) to form and tighten any size of clamp needed: https://clamptitetools.com/ This is one of those tools for which you will find a thousand uses once you have it. And for nylon ties, get a proper tool, which tensions and cuts the tie without leaving sharp edges to rake your arm, like diagonal cutters do. I like this one: https://www.cabletiesandmore.com/nyl...ie-gun?pid=595

JanMM

I haven't tried stainless steel cable ties. Interesting.
For plastic zip ties, ones with higher maximum weight ratings (and also rated for UV resistance) should be sturdier/longer lasting.

Crankycrank

Yes his "Project Farm" videos are very good and he has a few that are very valuable for cycling such as epoxy tests, gas engines for bikes, tools, lithium batteries, etc. Not always perfect lab quality scientific tests but us cyclist folks should be able to get the same results he does.

MrWasabi

Thanks for the replies everyone,

It was hard to hit submit on that question...lol. I was thinking just get some whatever black ones on Amazon but with boredom started to read the reviews and thought I better check here with the experience bike folks first.

On the metal ones, I'd be worried about rust? I'll just keep an eye out for some quality made UV resistant black ones.

Crankycrank

I believe that the video in post #3 shows a test of 3 stainless ties for corrosion and 2 of them did pretty will.

dsaul

I've never had a problem with whatever I buy from the "electrical supplies" section of the hardware store or home improvement store.

woodcraft

I tried the SS ones, but could not get them to tighten as they don't stretch, so pretty useless.

woodcraft

The Clamp-Tite tool looks interesting. Have you used it in real world situations with limited access, etc.?

Bill Kapaun

SS hose clamps should be pretty anything resistant.

dsbrantjr

I love my Clamp-Tite® tool and use it a lot. Clamping hoses, fixing tool handles, splicing plant stakes, etc. You only need access from one side and to be able to get the wire around the object to be able to clamp it. Check out the instructions to see how it works, I always use the double wrap. https://clamptitetools.com/pages/instructions It would be one of my stranded-on-a desert-island tools. The standard tool fits my needs.

dsbrantjr

If you get all-stainless they weather well; the cheaper ones have a mild steel drive screw which rusts quickly, you can tell them by the yellow chromate finish on the screw. You can also buy kits with bulk band material and loose clamps to make up any size you need: https://www.dixonvalve.com/product/4002

aggiegrads

They aren’t cheap, but we use the Panduit Dome-top Barb-ty at work to bundle the cables on ten million dollar systems.

These ties are very strong, have near infinite tightening adjustability due to the stainless tang, and have a very compact head. Cost is about $30 per hundred, but they are worth it. They are much stronger than their rated strength.

Darth Lefty 

I used some Walmart store brand -hyper something - in the smallest size and rainbow colors. They were juuuuuuunk

I’ve come to trust direct Chinese Amazon stuff more than Chinese Walmart stuff.

sch

Been using innominata, 3M and a few Harbor Freight kit zips for 25 yrs on my bikes. Never had a failure yet. I use white
on my Ti or natural Al parts and black on the black bike. With cable changes and periodic rebuilds most are in service
4-8 yrs. These days I suspect the vast majority are East Asian origin.

JohnDThompson 

That's similar to what we used in the hospital to secure suction tubing to chest tubes. You really don't want those coming apart unintentionally! The tool tensions and cuts the tie in a single operation.

tyrion

I've noticed that too.

woodcraft

Thanks, I'll give it a try.